Research and program evaluation are fundamental elements of CWAE programs. CWAE works with schools, school districts, and health organizations to collect data for program evaluation.

The Quiet Time program features an evidenced based stress reduction and cognitive development technique called Transcendental Meditation (TM). It has a broad impact, with benefits that include:

• Improved academic performance and attendance
• Reduced school violence and suspensions
• Improved mental and physical health for both students and teachers

Academic Performance

• Improvement in STAR test performance (Published in Education, Spring 2011)
• Increase in GPA at both Everett and Visitacion Valley middle schools over three years, coinciding with the start of the Quiet Time program
• Increase in GPA in meditators compared to non-meditating control group
• Reduction in the achievement gap, as measured by GPA, between African American and Asian students at Visitacion Valley
• Increase in GPA linked with regularity of meditation

Student Behavior

• Increase in average daily attendance
• Statistically significant reduction in days absent for meditating students
• Reduction in fights
• Reduction in suspensions at Visitacion Valley from 89 in 2006 to 10 in 2010

Student Wellness

• Significant reduction in anxiety
• Significant reduction in depressive symptoms
• Significant increase in self-esteem
• Increase in happiness and focus
• Improvement in sleep and relationships
• Reduction in anger and stress

Teacher Wellness

• Significant reduction in perceived stress
• Significant increase in emotional intelligence
• Significant reduction in negative mood states